🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Local Food, Farmers & Community
NWI Food Council is proud to announce its 10th Anniversary Annual Gala. Join us as we celebrate 10 years of impact, the farmers who make it all possible, and the community that continues to grow this work alongside us. We’ll raise a glass—and raise support—for the next decade of cultivating Food Justice for All in Northwest Indiana.
10 Years of Impact
Thursday, November 12, 2026Â
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Â
County Line Orchard,Â
200 S County Line Rd., Hobart, IN
The Farmer & The Chef is a lively celebration of the connections that bring local food from the farm to our plates. Gather with friends, neighbors, farmers, chefs, food lovers, and community leaders for an elevated, multi-course dining experience featuring ingredients sourced from local farms and producers and thoughtfully prepared by talented regional chefs.
Featured Chefs
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Nick Alessandri — River Forest Schools
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Bob McClellan — Fuzzyline Brewing
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Michael Lanzerotte — Meraki Group
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Nicole Bissonette — Fish Camp
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Jack Velazquez — Hammond Area Career Center
🍽️ An Evening Around the Table
The evening will feature:
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A welcoming reception with appetizers and specialty locally crafted beverages
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An immersive story walk bringing the work and impact of NWIFC to life
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A thoughtfully curated multi-course dinner featuring ingredients from local farms and producers
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Stories and introductions highlighting the farmers and chefs behind the meal
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Community-style tables designed to encourage conversation and connection
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Live art and musical entertainment in a warm, rustic atmosphere
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A curated silent auction featuring local experiences, products, and one-of-a-kind offerings
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Raffle opportunities and special fundraising moments throughout the evening
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Opportunities to directly support the Northwest Indiana Food Council and the future of our regional food system
✨ Come celebrate the people behind our food—and help us cultivate what comes next.Â
🌱 Your Seat Makes an Impact
The Northwest Indiana Food Council works to cultivate a thriving food system in our region by strengthening connections among farmers, food businesses, organizations, and the communities they serve.
Proceeds from The Farmer & The Chef support the Food Council’s work to build a stronger, more connected, and more resilient local food system throughout Northwest Indiana.
This is an evening to eat well, meet your farmers, celebrate our chefs, connect with your community, and invest in the future of local food.
Tickets & Information
$150 per person
For tickets and more information, visit: https://nwifoodcouncil.networkforgood.com/events/105916-the-farmer-the-chef
✨ Upgrade to the VIP Experience
Make your evening at The Farmer & The Chef even more memorable with our exclusive VIP experience featuring a special meet & greet with Abra Berens, James Beard Award semifinalist, chef, author, and advocate for Midwestern foodways.
Abra’s work brings together farming, cooking, seasonality, and community—making her a natural part of an evening celebrating the people and ingredients that define our regional food system.
Your $200 VIP ticket includes everything in General Admission, plus:
✨ Exclusive Meet & Greet with Abra Berens starting at 5:00 pm
Enjoy a special opportunity to meet Abra, connect over food and farming, and hear firsthand about her approach to seasonal cooking and celebrating the Midwest.
✨ VIP Pre-Event Reception
Join us for an intimate gathering designed for conversation and connection before the main event. Bring or purchase one of Abra’s cookbooks and have it personally signed during the reception.
✨ VIP Swag Tote
Take home a special collection of items selected exclusively for our VIP guests.
✨ Special VIP Recognition
Be recognized as one of the supporters helping the Northwest Indiana Food Council strengthen our local food system and cultivate what comes next.
Space for the VIP experience is limited. Reserve your VIP ticket early to be part of this special celebration.
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